As if a Top-Five 2027 recruiting class and 40 new transfers isn’t enough for fans to get excited for Bob Chesney’s first season with the UCLA Bruins, the program added a son of an NFL Pro Bowler to add some more intrigue to the future of UCLA football.
On Sunday, running back Deuce Jones-Drew committed to UCLA. Jones-Drew’s father was Jacksonville Jaguars star running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who made the Pro Bowl three times over his nine year career with the Jaguars and the Raiders. Maurice Jones-Drew was a UCLA Bruin, playing in Westwood from 2003-2005 before getting drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft.
Deuce Jones-Drew, a three-star 2027 recruit, will follow his father’s footsteps and join the Bruins. Jones-Drew becomes a part of UCLA’s 2027 class that currently ranks No. 5 in the country.
Jones-Drew becomes the second 2027 running back to commit to UCLA over the past week, joining Jayshon Gibson. With Jones-Drew and Gibson entering the fold in the backfield, Chesney and UCLA offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy have a few different options at running back for the future.
Before heading to UCLA, Jones-Drew will wrap up his high school career at De La Salle, where he put up over 400 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons. Jones-Drew, like his father, is a stout running back, standing at 5’8” and weighing 185 lbs.
Jones-Drew opted to head to his father’s alma mater over offers from Cal, Utah and SMU. 247 Sports has Jones-Drew as the No. 44 running back in the class, with Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins viewing Jones-Drew as a complementary piece in the backfield.
“Might not fit the mold of a true workhorse, but can be a spark plug in a committee while adding value as a return man,” Ivins said of Jones-Drew. “Runs low to the ground and has the balance to shed contact.”
It’ll be tough for Jones-Drew to match the terrific career of his father, but he’ll have every chance to make a name for himself with the Bruins like Maurice did a few decades ago.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Feel old yet? Maurice Jones-Drew’s son signs on with the UCLA Bruins
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
